Related Articles

In April Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said he was concerned the Labor government was trying to appoint a number of key positions before September's poll in a bid to reach out from "beyond the political grave".

But Senator Farrell on Monday said that Mr Abbott wasn't prime minister at the moment and his view about appointments was not relevant in this case.

"It is given the term wasn't due to expire until after the next election," opposition parliamentary secretary for science Richard Colbeck replied.

"We made a polite request asking you not to make any appointments."

Senator Farrell replied: "We politely declined."

"I'd hardly call that polite, minister," Senator Colbeck shot back.

Later, Ms Mirabella told AAP that contrary to evidence to the hearing, it was not Mr McKeon who tried to contact her office but female bureaucrat.

She said the text message she received on Friday said Mr McKeon wanted to speak with her briefly about a CSIRO issue that could be of interest.

Ms Mirabella got another text message informing her about the appointment on Sunday, about 40 minutes before Dr Clark informed CSIRO staff.

"There was no urgency in the text sent by Mr McKeon on Friday," Ms Mirabella told AAP.

"It's a bit cute and somewhat curious that they waited until the 11th hour to raise the issue."